Keep Me (Phoenix, #2) by Stacey Kennedy Review

This is a spoiler-free review! You can read my review of Watch Me on my blog, here.

We pick right up from where we left off in Watch Me, now following Archer and Elise as they continue to instigate one another like their lives depend on it -- I can hear the wedding bells already. Almost immediately, Elise and Archer are basically going at it without actually going it at it, as Elise works on a job for Archer investigating a new member at the club after some suspicious activity went done a few days prior.

The smut definitely hits different in this book compared to Watch Me, and I can't tell if it's because we did get that mild build up of tension between Elise and Archer in the first book, or if just my love for the teasing-each-other-because-they-like-each-other trope. The way they are both so similar to one another yet constantly butt heads makes me love the pair even more, and their banter is just so entertaining to read.

Kennedy did a good job balancing plot and smut, as well as spending a decent amount of time developing the backgrounds of Elise and Archer. We get details of both of their past traumas that heavily influence why they do the jobs that they do, and get to see how they open up to one another about how they are still affected by their pasts.

Zoey, Hazel, and Elise's friendship really stood out throughout the book, and readers are able to witness how interconnected their lives are, especially with their involvement with the boys and their lives as well. It was great to read about the friend group that had a solid foundation, but that also did not have them so dependent on one another that they could not function without each other.

Another whirlwind romance to follow Zoey and Rhys -- but on the bright side, they knew each other for longer than Zoey and Rhys knew each other before they got engaged. I definitely think Elise and Archer, while still having a fast romance, did have that foundation between them that allowed their story to still be as raw as Zoey and Rhys, but have that extra cushioning that let you go into the book with justified expectations.

We are able to see both characters grow into themselves before they give in to one another, and the plot was just as fun to read as were Elise and Archer's more intimate scenes together. I was certainly in the mood to read something a little more spicy, but wanted to have at least the backbone of a plot, and I was not disappointed. Kennedy sets up the next book at the very end of the epilogue, much like Watch Me, and I plan on seeing this series through until the end.

Another quick read in the Phoenix series that leaves the reader wanting me but satisfied at the same time. I love a good interconnected standalone series that keeps the other characters involved but not so much that you feel like you're reading part two of another couple's story.

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The Yellow Wall-Paper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman Review

The Yellow Wall-Paper is available to read for free on iBooks! This review contains spoilers for The Yellow Wall-Paper.

With the intent of bringing his wife to a rental home for fresh air and a calmer environment to heal her from illness, a doctor unintentionally -- or perhaps, intentionally -- causes his wife to dive deeper into a madness. We see a woman isolated, alone yet almost never out of sight from her husband, John, or his sister, Jennie. Left to her own devices when they want her to rest, she begins to analyze and critique the old and decaying yellow wallpaper that surrounds her.

The author does an incredible job of describing this wallpaper with such detail that it not only becomes the prominent plot point of the story, but a character itself. No longer is the wallpaper a mere inanimate decoration for this woman's room, but rather something that is alive and stirring. The more time she spends alone in solitude with only this wallpaper, the more we see the woman descend into a madness that reflects the conceptualized place of women in their marriage.

Any time that the woman expresses a need to leave this country house or renovate the bedroom wallpaper, her husband dismisses the ideas and speaks to her in an infantilizing manner that is sure to contribute to her worsening depression. Left only with the yellow wallpaper as a companion of sorts, she is swept into following the pattern on the walls and hyper-fixating on what she believes is a woman trapped behind the paper. While not a true horror in name, the author does an exceptional job of creating an atmosphere where you can physically feel the woman's pain overcome her, even though it is not physical.

As one of the first takes on feminism and reflection on a woman's inherent role in a marriage, we see a woman -- who is never named, but rather referred to as someone's possession or in relation to another. A child's mother. A doctor's wife. But never given a name of her own, perhaps to encompass any individual who may relate to her and allow themselves to place themself in her shoes. She is left virtually helpless in a room that feeds on her loneliness and desperation to be free of the confines of the yellow wallpaper, while anyone who could help her leave is actively keeping her in a house she so desperately wants to be free of.

The more she becomes infatuated with the wallpaper, the more she shows a fear or aversion to John, suggesting that as she continues to live this life as a wife or mother instead of simply her own person, she is trapped by the constraints of what society and her husband expect from her. She is left misunderstood despite being explicitly clear on her feelings about the very wallpaper that heads her spiral, very much reflecting how women have been and continue to be treated in society's view of a marriage. Ignoring the true root of the problem in favor of his own ideas of how to "cure" his wife, the husband is shown to think he is doing what he can to help her, but rather is the one to undo her even more.

The Yellow Wall-Paper remains relevant as ever as a commentary on mental health, marital roles and expectations, feminism, and individual identity. In less than one hundred pages, the author is able to depict so many ever-lasting issues that continue to affect today's society.

You can add The Yellow Wall-Paper on Goodreads now, as well as other works by the author.

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Muse of Nightmares (Strange the Dreamer, #2) by Laini Taylor Review

This is a spoiler-free review! You can read my review of Strange the Dreamer on my blog, here.

The copy I read is the 2018 ARC from BookExpo, so if there were any major changes or edits in the final published copy, I am not aware. Strange the Dreamer ended so strong and with lots of build up for the next book, and I have to say that I was satisfied with Muse of Nightmares.

Taylor's writing, once again, is so beautifully done and truly shows the emotions and depth of her characters to the fullest extent. Sarai and Lazlo have such a unique and intense relationship compared to a lot of fantasy couples, and the way that they grow individually and together reflects on what they personally needed to discover as well as what they needed each other to find.

The action really takes off in this sequel compared to Strange the Dreamer -- with mostly world-building and character introduction accompanied by relationship development, the first book gave us a solid groundwork for Taylor's story. Muse of Nightmares brings a heavy resolution to this world, as Sarai and Lazlo's worlds come to their greatest struggles as they are brought together. No character was safe in the battle between Godspawn and mortals, as we see just how tragic and fatal it was for a number of characters on both sides.

Weep's existence is hanging by a thread as Minya continues to become even more unhinged than she was in the first book, in addition to characters we least expected having their villain moment at the worst possible time. Much like the first book, it does have a slower pace to the story and Taylor devotes a lot of time on proper development, but at times it did feel like the story was moving slower than it should have been, and what felt like days passing in the book was actually only hours.

I really enjoyed how much more we saw of Sparrow, Feral, Ruby, and Ruza in this sequel. They were present in the first book, but they very much fell into their roles of side characters, placed there for the enhancement of other characters and their stories. However, Muse of Nightmares provided them a new environment to thrive in, and their personalities and characterization received a lot more expansion. 

Kora and Nova's involvement in the story was also skyrocketed to near-main character level, and their own stories were very interesting to see play out in the end. I do wish we got to see more of Thyon in this installment -- he was heavily involved in the first book and I felt as though his character and story took to the back-burner in Muse of Nightmares. I would have loved to see more of his dynamic with Lazlo in this book.

There were definitely some points of the story that left me a tad confused and some questions left unanswered, but overall Taylor was able to pull together the story's conclusion in a rewarding end for Weep and for its inhabitants. I was able to do short power-reads to finish this book in only a few sittings, but at times it did feel as though my eyes wanted me to skim the story but I had to force myself to stay on track.

Once again, I recommend this duology to readers looking to enter the fantasy genre with something that is easy to understand while also encompassing the genre's core values and influences. Taylor's Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy is a must-read as well, and is a great introduction to her writing style and characterization.

You can add Strange the Dreamer and Muse of Nightmares on Goodreads now, and follow the author to stay up to date on releases and publications.

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The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata Review

This is a spoiler-free review! Trigger warnings include physical and emotional parental abuse, child neglect and abandonment, and intimate partner abuse. You can also read my review of From Lukov with Love on my blog, here.

Once again, I had been putting off reading this book for a little over a year, but I am back and in the mood for a sports romance to add to my 2022 reads before the year comes to an end. I honestly did not know much about this book before I started it, besides the few excerpts I had seen on TikTok videos that kept reminding me that I needed to read this book.

To my very happy surprise, the main trope of The Wall of Winnipeg and Me had me absolutely thrilled. I love a grumpy and sunshine relationship, and with Vanessa and Aiden, we get to see Aiden as this total grump that slowly shows his soft side while Vanessa is always nice until she decides to stand up for herself and switches over to being more confrontational. I am an absolute sucker for fake-relationship or marriage-of-convenience books, and Zapata really knocked it out of the park with this one.

The way that Vanessa and Aiden defend each other from other people, especially when the other is not around, was so great to see because you could literally feel the tension on the pages. In the beginning of the book, Aiden barely speaks to anyone or Vanessa unless it's a head nod or three-word sentences, but then we get to see him give these long backstories about his past and speeches of him defending her to anyone that looks at Vanessa the wrong way.

Trevor and Christian are so incredibly annoying that every time that their names showed up on the page, I had to force myself to stop rolling my eyes into the back of my head. The only thing they brought to the story was a number of problems or arguments and insults that left me more agitated than before the popped up again. And do not even get me started on Vanessa's sister, Susie, and Vanessa's mother -- probably some of the most despicable characters I have ever come across, and I have read a lot of mafia romance books with some truly nasty characters.

This woman LOVES her food-themed nicknames, I simply cannot escape them in both of the books I have read by her so far. Meatball. Muffin. Dinner Roll. The list is never-ending. There are a ton of fun little moments between Vanessa and Aiden, and the friendship that Vanessa and Zac has really adds to the story, because you see the effortlessness of joking they have with each other compared to the build up that Vanessa and Aiden have to work toward to get to that level.

The modern day references were kept to a minimum in this book, and I was so grateful for it. Zapata used a decent amount of references in From Lukov with Love, and I was glad to see that this was much more toned down. I really did enjoy the dynamics between everyone in the book, and how Zapata was able to depict various types of relationships without dragging out certain aspects or turning them into major cliches.

If you are looking for a slow-burn, sports romance, this is definitely the book for you. Fans of The Deal by Elle Kennedy will graduate to Zapata's books and a more cohesive storyline following adults instead of college students. It is always so refreshing to see sports romance books following people in their twenties and thirties instead of being a nineteen-year-old hockey player in their first year of college.

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Gambler (The Gentleman's Club, #1) by Lexy Timms Review

This review contains spoilers for Gambler.

In an exclusive and illegal card game, Jack wins a penthouse -- and Leo Monahan's daughter for a year. Initially taken as a joke, Jack soon finds out that this man is not joking, and Jack finds himself with a beach-front penthouse and a blonde woman in his bed. Jack is on some time of secret mission involving Leo and his business, and if he has to accept his daughter, Cassandra, for a year to get the job done, he will certainly do it.

Over half-way through the book, and Jack and Cassandra have had approximately four actual conversations with each other, and we have spent a huge chunk of time only learning Jack's backstory and involvement in the security business. 

At this point in the book, the only thing that we know about Cassandra is who her father is and that she is the one that is supposed to run his business one day, so she needs to shadow Jack at his business in order to learn something. There is in fact absolutely no mentoring done by Jack in this book, if you do not count him helping Cassandra try to launch her art consultant career behind her father's back.

However, that takes a quick turn as Cassandra and Jack find themselves in a fake-relationship situation in order to keep up appearances so Jack's old acquaintance, Walker, does not get suspicious of why they know each other. We really only get to see their tension in the second half of the book, with actual development finally at the very end. With this book being from both of their perspectives, you see the conflict that both of them have once they enter their little relationship agreement.

The plot moves very slow in the first 100 pages of the book, and it felt as though the author was dragging out background that could have been glossed over, or realized that she wrote so much background that she decided to try to wrap up the book very quickly. With the book being so short that it basically qualifies as a novella, I should not have been surprised with how little we had of Jack and Cassandra actually interacting with each other. 

We are left on a cliffhanger as Jack comes back to the penthouse after being beaten by a bunch of Leo's goons and he reveals to Cassandra that he is working undercover for the FBI -- total shocker. He spent the entire book running around making secret calls on burner phones and meeting with people that it was obvious he was up to something, but as a reader we did not know if he was worse than Leo or better.

I honestly was not sure if I wanted to continue on with this series, but based off of the ending and how short this book was, I might just have to keep on reading solely so that I can have closure on Jack and Cassandra. If you are looking for a quick, slow-burn, and fake-dating book with a dash of mafia-type undertones, this may be the series for you.

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The Cherished by Patricia Ward Review

This is a spoiler-free review!

I would first like to thank NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy of The Cherished in exchange for an honest review -- this is an uncorrected proof, and there may be changes to the book in the final version.The Cherished releases on April 18, 2023.

I first have to say that I absolutely love the cover art for this book, and it is one of the main things that drew me to reading it. Combined with the description, my expectations were high, especially because I was in the mood for a good horror book. However, the writing was not what I expected, and it felt as though the story was dragging on while at the same time throwing in random information or characters that did not have anything to do with the plot.

Jo, Abigail, and Robert all have a nagging voice about them that makes almost everything that they said sound grating to the ear. Jo is sixteen years old and thinks in the most outrageous ways that cause her character to be hard to follow, especially as the main character. Abigail's character felt two-dimensional at first, but then started to get a little bit more in depth as the story went on, but never really expanded in a way that made the reader want to read about her.

The plot felt sporadic and was moving at an inconsistent pace -- I felt as though I was reading a book that had passages removed, making it harder to follow what exactly was going on. Instead of a horror book, it felt more like a short story you would read in English class that barely touched the surface of what horror embodies. Instead of being a little spooked while reading, I actually felt annoyed at almost every single character, especially Jo, because no one would communicate with each other, or they would talk in vague warnings that were not going to help anyone.

Hattie's character, while interesting and helpful to the plot, actually provides yet another annoyance to the reading experience. She just feels very out of place and not well developed enough for her implied importance to actually take root in the reader's view of her. The relationship she has with Tom is very much father/daughter, but they also try to warn Jo about certain things while not telling her anything all at all, which is frustrating to read.

I found that the plot's pacing was making it hard to read the book -- it was slow in the first half, but then it started to jump around quickly and begin to incorporate ideas that seemed to be only half-developed rather than something more solid. 

Overall, I think that the concept was definitely there, but the execution was not living up to how it needed to be played out. I felt a little bored during a lot of the chapters, and other chapters were kind of just jumping around and did not feel as though they were completed. Expecting a horror book, I was disappointed to say the least -- there was certainly nothing scary about this book, and while the concept would be considered eerie, it just did not pull through.

If you are looking for a quick read that has somewhat of evil fairytale elements, then The Cherished will definitely check those boxes for you. 

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From Lukov with Love by Mariana Zapata Review

 

This is a spoiler-free review! A list of trigger warnings can be found here.

I finally caved in and read this book -- I have been putting it off for over two years, but it's approaching winter and after a recent re-watch of Spinning Out on Netflix, I figured now is the best time to dive into a figure skating romance. It is also so refreshing to find a romance book with adults in their twenties that is able to be developed and follow that slow-burn build up. People were absolutely not lying when they said this was a slow-burn, and don't be surprised if it takes literally hundreds of pages for anything to happen between the main characters.

Jasmine's family dynamic is very relaxed and they all get along with each other relatively well, and are involved in each other's lives. It was nice to see a supportive family behind her, especially with such a demanding sport taking up her time. I cannot stand her father and nothing that he says or does will ever make up for the way that he talks to her. Her best friend happens to be Ivan's sister, and I really enjoyed the way that she -- even briefly -- would be a voice of wisdom for the both of them.

Ivan sulks so much, I'm surprised he hasn't frozen in place. Meatball is hands down the worst nickname that I have ever heard and I genuinely wished that he cut that out at any time during the book. However, he does have some redeeming qualities that don't completely make him a nuisance, and his banter -- or straight-up arguing -- with Jasmine is entertaining to say the least. He definitely grew on me by the end of the book, and he showed a ton of character development that I was hoping he would gain.

Watching Jasmine and Ivan's skating relationship develop was very cute and satisfying. You see their obvious tension and clear frustration with each other in the beginning, but you also see how other people are rooting for them to be a great pair. Ivan inserts himself a lot into Jasmine's personal life, and I think it added a lot to their relationship and made Jasmine trust him a lot more than she originally did.

If you're a sucker for the she's-sick-and-he-takes-care-of-her trope, you are in for a treat. I was kicking my legs and giggling the entire time and loved every minute of it, especially because it lasts multiple chapters and is not just brushed over. Jasmine and Ivan have a ton of fun banter, but there are some points where I was not loving what Ivan would say to Jasmine. I understand that they had their little feud, but some of the things he said or made comments on felt like they were crossing a line.

Sometimes the writing was giving hardcore Wattpad vibes, dangerously on the side of me wanting to put the book down, especially when I realized that Jasmine was not a 19-year-old, but instead 26-years-old. It took me back on the way the narration was reading, but the writing improved after the first few chapters and you will fall in sync with the way that Jasmine thinks.

I wish that Zapata had included more chapters or at least discussion on certain aspects -- Jasmine's falling out and hatred towards Paul, and her issues with people on social media. A lot of the times that either of these were brought up, it felt brushed over and only talked about for a few pages before the discussion changed or we were in a new chapter.

I would recommend this book to people looking for a true slow burn where the romance does not come into play until you are deep into the book. It's a great combination of plot-driven work with a romance subplot.

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Followers by Megan Angelo Review

This review contains spoilers for Followers.

The concept of this book really stood out to me, and I was looking forward to see some type of futuristic, dystopian-esque Black Mirror novel play out before me. As a disclaimer, the version of the book that I was reading was the 2018 ARC that was given out at Book Expo -- I am not aware if there were any changes between the advanced copy and the final printed version. 

At times the story felt a little scattered -- when the author would jump between 2015/2016 and 2051, most of the time it was a cohesive jump, but at some points I felt as though I was thrown into an entirely different story. Going from 2051 Marlow and her attempt at leaving Constellation back to 2015/16 with the author talking about characters we had only heard of once was throwing me off -- I kept wondering how their stories connected and they never fully were able to establish relationships that made sense.

A majority of the plot devices has a lot of potential, but it felt as though scenes were either being rushed or they were being filled with overzealous details that did not pertain to the characters and their development. Switching between 2015/2016 and 2051, the author takes us on a journey into a world where the internet we use today stopped working in 2015 to a world where the internet has the largest presence in everyone's lives in 2051.

2015 Orla and Floss have this symbiotic relationship with one another where Orla provides Floss the fame, and Floss provides Orla the internet presence as a journalist wanting to become a novelist. At least, that was the plan, until Orla suddenly finds herself with as much fame as Floss when her and her boyfriend's documentary-style tv show airs. Floss continuously does reckless things in order to get the attention on her at every chance she gets, and unfortunately it takes her basically pushing a girl down stairs to launch her into stardom.

2051 Marlow and Floss are participating in what basically appears to be a 24/7 reality world where they cannot make any decisions for themselves. Marlow, Floss's daughter, has always lived in this network-ran world, where her every move is watched by her millions of followers and a device talks to her in her head as if they are one being. 

After being on medication for nearly twenty years, Marlow is taken off of this miracle drug when the network reveals to her that she and her husband, Ellis, will be having a baby. This basically triggers Marlow's descent into realizing that nothing everything is as it appears -- she becomes more aware of her surroundings and the hold that the network has on everyone in Constellation. She is looking for privacy, a concept that no one really entertains, with everyone's lives in Constellation being broadcasted for their millions of followers.

In the 2015/16 chapters we learn a lot more about how Floss and Marlow ended up in Constellation and how Marlow even came to be. Her relation to Orla is something that surprised Marlow, especially as she was just under the impression that Aston was not her biological father. But to find out that Floss was not her biological mother was a shock to her, and really pushed forward her turn to privacy. So many people in Marlow's life are just there to use her for followers, fame, and money -- they have no concern for her wellbeing and basically view her as a product instead of a person.

The ending of the book personally left me with more questions than answers. I felt a little underwhelmed and that the writing was not fulfilling what the plot needed to push it forward. I really wanted to enjoy this book, but I found myself wondering how much longer it would be until it was over. The idea was definitely there, but some plot points felt as though they fell through the cracks and were never picked back up.

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Strange the Dreamer (Strange the Dreamer, #1) by Laini Taylor Review

 

This is a spoiler-free review! A list of trigger warnings can be found here.

Lazlo Strange is a twenty-year-old librarian whose dreams show him what others cannot remember, and his passion for magic proves to be useful as he embarks on a journey he never thought that he would join. It is definitely a lot of information to take in at first, but if you have experience reading more high fantasy novels, it is a quick adjustment and you become oriented in the world very quickly.

Sarai, Ruby, Feral, Sparrow, and Minya are remaining survivors of Weep, living in the citadel while being bearers of magical gifts. With each having a unique ability, they can be viewed as a tool or a curse. Sarai, called the Muse of Nightmares, is able to enter into the dreams of others and scream moths into existence for her purpose.

Thyon Nero is such a massive pain throughout the book, especially due to the way that he speaks to and treats Lazlo. As for a number of other characters, I cannot say that this behavior surprised me, but Lazlo continues to be kind and understanding to everyone around him, despite the way they treat him. A decent amount of the characters that Lazlo is traveling with do not speak kindly of the godspawn and the general concept of Weep, which results in Lazlo constantly defending their existence.

The relationship and connection between Lazlo and Sarai is so interesting -- he the dreamer, she the nightmare. A beautiful symmetry between their abilities that draws them to one another. The way that Sarai longs for a nightmare-less sleep and Lazlo longs for dreams filled with Sarai shows how their stories begin to intertwine as they learn more about one another and as Lazlo discovers the mysteries and horrors of what happened in Weep.

The world building is done in a way where Taylor is sure to explain what the terms mean, instead of just throwing in italicized jargon and hoping that they reader will understand what and who she is referring to. I enjoyed the way that we are given multiple perspectives -- not just from Lazlo and Sarai, but from other characters as well, even if it is for only a few pages at a time, it provides a great insight into the story.

Taylor's writing carries such heaviness and expression -- the way she is able to bring life to these characters, making you feel everything that they experience is fantastic. Lazlo and Sarai's inner thoughts alone bring with them such awe and admiration for what they do not yet know about one another, as well as what they discover about themselves. It was captivating and grew as the story progressed, and had me turning the pages as fast as I could while holding onto her words.

I definitely recommend this to those looking to get into high fantasy -- it is not as complex (or long) as The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon, but builds a world and group of characters that possess individuality and growth. I will definitely be completing the series, especially after that ending. Be sure to read Taylor's Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy as well!

You can add Strange the Dreamer and the rest of the series on Goodreads now, and follow the author to stay up to date on releases and publications.

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The Queen of Nothing (The Folk of the Air, #3) by Holly Black Review

 

This is a spoiler-free review! You can read my reviews of The Cruel Prince and The Wicked King on my blog -- just click the links!

I seriously cannot believe I waited so long to read this series after having them on my shelf for years, but I am so glad that I got to read them so close to one another rather than waiting years for it to be over. However, that means it was over so much quicker than I wanted it to be. 

Jude is such a great character -- we too often see a female main character that does not fight for herself or is constantly trampled by the men that surround her in the story. Here, Jude is the one that is doing the trampling, and defending herself every chance she gets. She is clever and headstrong, and though she is young, she is able to command so many and control her fate, no matter the cost.

Cardan continues to impress me and I love the complexity of his character, and the development he went through as the series progressed. In The Cruel Prince he was truly one of the most unhinged male main characters I had come across, and his characterization was always being tested. He has been through so much and had to look within himself, with the help of Jude, to see what he was capable of and who he could be as a person.

Not even 100 pages into this book, I was once again giggling and kicking my feet in the air. I absolutely adore Cardan and Jude's hate-you-so-much-I-need-you relationship, and this book does not disappoint. We see this tension from both sides, and a subtle yearning that is just enough to show truth in their connection. Yes, there is not a ton of romance in this book, in the entire series in fact, but that is what makes it so special and raw to see when it does happen.

Before I read this series, I used to think that no sisters in a fantasy novel could be as annoying as Feyre's in A Court of Thorns and Roses, and yet here Taryn is, one of the most insufferable characters I have come across. Yes, she is a teenager, but so are Vivi and Jude, and they do not act like fools and take things for granted as Taryn does. She has betrayed her sister more times than I can count, and expects forgiveness every single time, as if she has done nothing wrong. Taryn asks so much from Jude, and unfortunately, Jude does give in sometimes, much to my detest.

Taryn does get some resemblance of what we can consider redemption, but I still do not forgive her for what she did to Jude in the first two books, and I do not think I ever will. She was foolish on so many occasions, and you cannot blame it on her age, since she and Jude are the same age. Lots of character development was being passed around to some characters that were acting horribly throughout the series, including Nicasia -- I never thought I would see the day that I was glad she was anywhere else but the Undersea.

Lots of characters got what the deserved in the end, and watching Cardan be so proud of Jude when she handles so many of them made my heart so happy. You can tell that they have a long way to go, but to see the encouragement from both sides is promising in hopes that they continue to grow together.

I loved the plot devices used in this book and the riddles that weaved their way into battles and curses as Jude and Cardan began their rule so early on. I found myself basically yelling at the pages to Jude for her to understand the answers, much like I found myself as I read A Court of Thorns and Roses. She may take some time to understand what lies beneath of this tricks, but she will always find the answer and stay true to what she needs to due.

I genuinely had such a fun time reading this series, and really enjoyed the playfulness and political agenda that was the backbone of the story. Romance was on the back-burner and I was happy to see it not completely overshadow the plot and character development. These are quick reads that leave the reader wanting more but ultimately satisfied with how the story played out in the end. I definitely recommend this series to those looking to get into fantasy on a lower-stakes level.

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A Certain Hunger by Chelsea G. Summers Review

This review contains very mild spoilers for A Certain Hunger. A list of trigger warnings can be found here.

Welcome to the NBC's Hannibal to girlboss cannibalism pipeline, so glad you could join us for dinner. We are taken into the mind of Dorothy, a woman jailed for her actions as a food critic turned cannibal, through her first-person memoir as she recounts her journey that led her to where she is. Dorothy is quick, frank, and gets straight to the point as she details her killings -- and recipes -- to the greatest extent. 

With each chapter focusing on a particular dish, accompanied often by a particular kill or experience, we gain insight on Dorothy's inner workings and her view on life, food, and the complications of feelings. She recounts her initial love for food and the day that she was thrown into a career as a food critic, her college days and friendship with Emma, and the countless entanglements she has with men who become meals.

Dorothy's meticulous planning of both her meals and her killings are done in such a way where both feel as though she is reading through a recipe book and adjusting the measurements to her own preference. She is sharp and calculated with nearly everything she does in her life, even after she is jailed -- we see it in the group therapy sessions, her refusal to allow Emma to visit her, and her acknowledgement of her never-empty commissary account.

She is at times reckless, and some could argue that the feelings she claims she does not experience make an appearance when she is at her most vulnerable. However, her recklessness is still coated in careful planning and has passion behind it, even if it ends in carnage. At times her killings are spontaneous, even taking her by surprise in the moment, and others have been brewing inside her for some time before executing them, much like her take down of a certain food critic magazine founder.

Some of the men that Dorothy killed were actually good people -- and even she admits that, literally during some of her plots she admits that some did not deserve the meal that they became, if only they had been more careful with their actions. Loyal to Dorothy, but not loyal to their wives. Unable to be persuaded to eat anchovies, but able to focus on it until his last breath. The men that Dorothy surrounds herself with all have flaws that may initially turn other people away from them, but draw Dorothy in -- perhaps the intrigue overshadows the indiscretions, perhaps the sex really was that good -- and that leads Dorothy down a road she expected she would eventually go down.

Summers stays true to the satire of early foodieism in the book summary as we see the exaggeration of Dorothy's superiority when it comes to cooking and ingredients, reviewing restaurants, and the transition from glossy printed magazines to the online buzzword food articles. From the preference of white truffle versus black truffle -- personally, I agree with Dorothy on the favoritism of the white truffle -- to the graphic depictions of Dorothy's crimes and acknowledgement of her elitism, Summers is able to create such a complex character that pulls traits from the likes of Amy Dunne of Gone Girl and Patrick Bateman of American Psycho.

The writing is extraordinary and I cannot believe this is the author's first novel -- it truly is one of the most compelling reads that I have come across as a reader. The complexity of Dorothy's character and relationships she forms with her lovers/meals, along with the friendship she has with Emma bring her character such depth that you feel as though you know everything you could about her in under three hundred pages. Dorothy is clearly not the perfect person, and a single slip-up being her downfall shows that even the most strategic killer can be brought down by a simple mistake.

A page-turning read that has you on the edge of your seat as Dorothy recounts every step she took that led her to where she is now, from Corpse Reviver #2 to barely edible prison food and cup noodle, we are taken on her journey fueled by rage, intrigue, and superiority. A must-read for readers looking to expand their literary genres and explore unhinged main characters that lead you to root for their success, even as they commit truly heinous acts.

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The Wicked King (The Folk of the Air, #2) by Holly Black Review

This is a spoiler-free review! You can read my review of The Cruel Prince on my blog, here.

The ending of The Cruel Prince had me grinning so hard I thought my face was going to freeze, so I was very excited to dive back into this world and see what Cardan and Jude had in store for us. 

We pick up five months after the ending of the first book, and tensions are high as a new ruler reigns over Faerie. Jude and Cardan's dynamic is full of the same banter as in The Cruel Prince, but we can see this very subtle attraction between the two of them grow, even if they are actively going against each other at any chance they get. A vulnerability from Cardan that we had yet to see from him emerges throughout the book, and the effects of being High King and working with Jude continue to affect him in ways he did not anticipate.

There are so many incredible lines in this book that begin to unravel Jude and Cardan's feelings not only for each other, but for their positions in Faerie as they come to learn what they truly want. To see both of their character development in this sequel was subtle in every way that mattered.

Locke continues to be a thorn in everyone's side, and it is astonishing how Taryn is able to see anything redeemable in him, especially with what he put her -- and Jude -- through in the first book, and what he continues to do throughout this book as well. He is so annoying and seems to get away with everything, and even when admitting to it, Taryn looks the other way.

Taryn is an entirely different story. She continuously tells Jude that she does not want her to be angry with her anymore, and attempts to reconcile what she has done to her twin sister, but there is more to Taryn than meets the eye. I was not a fan of her character in the first book, and this book certainly cemented my negative feelings toward her.

To no surprise to anyone, Madoc is still the most shady person running around Court and causing problems to fulfill his own agenda trying to get Oak the crown and basically be the ruler of Faerie in place of his son. At some points, you can almost see that Madoc may have a care for Jude, but it is almost always immediately ripped away as he continues his schemes to benefit himself.

I really enjoyed the involvement of the Undersea in this book, it was nice to see another aspect of Elfhame and more political development as Cardan's rule continues to raise questions by some high-ranking folk of Faerie. The contrast of the Undersea compared to being on land goes further than dirt and sea, with their abilities of scheming and powers being on a completely different playing field. The way that Black is able to create an alluring contrast between the two allows the reader to transport themselves in an entirely new world.

We see betrayal from a number of people that Jude thought were on her side, and the consequences of these betrayal cause a domino effect on the fate of Cardan's rule as High King, and Jude's place beside him as his advisor. The politics in The Wicked King grow more serious compared to The Cruel Prince, and for that we see the push and pull between Jude and Cardan's partnership ruling over Faerie. I really enjoyed the political climate of this installment, and the constant power dynamic being played out by Jude and Cardan as their one year and a day comes closer and closer to an end.

A sequel that leaves the reader more shocked than the first, The Wicked King is a great installment that leaves the fate of Jude and Cardan uncertain to the very end. I will definitely be continuing with the series and cannot wait to read The Queen of Nothing to see their conclusion.

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